The afternoon sun filtered lazily through the library's tall windows, catching on the dust motes that floated above her desk.
Elena sat surrounded by open books, her notes a scattered mosaic of underlined formulas and scribbled thoughts.
Her phone buzzed beside her. Dree.
>Adrian: Change of plans, Sunshine. Can't make it to the library. Mom just surprised me with a visit.
A smile tugged at her lips.
> That's great! You should cherish these moments and spend quality time with her. Tell her I said hello, okay?
>Adrian: Will do. What's your plan for later?
> Probably home. Study. Maybe collapse on the bed after that, she typed.
A second later, his reply came through.
>Adrian: Join us for dinner tonight later then. She'd love to see you, it's been ages.
She grinned at the screen.
> I'd love that! Just text me the time later.
She tucked her phone away and leaned back, stretching. The quiet hum of the library felt like a comfort she hadn't realized she'd missed. The rustle of pages, the faint sound of rain starting against the windows.
Ahh! This is my world.
Her focus lasted another hour before her phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn't Dree.
Nathan.
Her heart did that stupid skip again. She hesitated a second, then picked up.
"Hey," she said softly.
"You're not home," his voice came, smooth as ever. "Where are you?"
She blinked, a little caught off guard. "Did you — wait — did you come to my house?"
"Yeah," he said, like it was nothing. "Wanted to ask you something in person. But you weren't there."
"I'm at the library, sorry," she said, smiling despite herself.
"The girl is back in her comfort zone, huh?" She could hear amusement inhis voice.
She laughed quietly. "Lol, I'm still studying, remember?"
Her tone softened. "So, what's up with you? What did you want to ask?"
"Here on call? So unromantic," he teased.
"Yeah, tell me," she replied, ignoring the unromantic part.
There was a pause on the line, the kind that made her heartbeat speed up for no reason.
"Okay, here goes," he said finally, voice low, deliberate. "What would you say if I asked you for a date tonight?"
Her pen froze mid-scribble. "I… uh…" she stammered. "I would say that I… I have to rain-check. I've got plans with Dree's mom tonight."
"Oh, please," he said, amusement curling around his tone.
"But I already said yes to Dree." She tried to protest weakly.
Something in his tone, always made her weak.
"You can rain-check on him. This would be our first official date. Just us, no family or friends. Come on, say yes?"
She bit her lip. "That does sound appealing," she admitted softly. "But let me talk to him first, okay? I'll confirm."
"I just want to hear a yes," his reply made her pulse skip. "You're my girl. I want to spend time with you."
Her throat went dry. "Okay, okay," she said, trying not to smile too hard. "I'll try my best."
When the call ended, she sat there for a moment, staring at her reflection in the dark screen.
Her heart was racing.
How am I supposed to say no to Adrian without making it weird?
She finally typed:
> Sorry, Dree, something came up. I won't be able to join tonight. You guys carry on. Maybe I'll see her tomorrow?
No reply. Maybe he was busy with his mom.
Phew!
She gathered her books, shoved them into her bag, and checked the time. Her pulse quickened.
A date.
An actual date with Nathan.
Isn't it going too fast?
The thought alone sent a thrill through her. She stepped out of the library into the late-afternoon air, her heart still drumming wildly.
She didn't know why, but every step toward home felt like walking toward something she'd already said yes to, long before he even asked.
---
Elena stood in the hall, ready for this date, before he came.
He was punctual as always, exactly on time.
When the doorbell rang, her pulse stuttered.
Nathan stood outside with a bouquet of white tulips and pale roses, his shirt a crisp shade of blue that deepened under the porch light. The sleeves were rolled neatly to his forearms, veins subtly visible, every movement deliberate.
She opened the door for him and he stared at her long, head to toe, before smiling at her.
Her outfit wasn't what she'd usually pick. A fitted cream skirt that stopped mid-thigh, paired with a satin blouse tucked neatly at the waist. The fabric hugged her just enough to remind her she was allowed to feel beautiful.
She'd let her hair fall in loose waves, the kind that looked effortless but had taken her twenty careful minutes.
Her makeup was light, just enough mascara to make her olive-green eyes stand out, a hint of blush that softened her cheeks, and a darker tint on her lips that made her look… confident.
Maybe, daring suits me after all!
Elena stole a glance at him. God, he looks good.
"Hi," she managed, her voice softer than she meant it to be.
He smiled — that calm, practiced smile that always seemed a step ahead of her. "For you," he said, offering the flowers.
She took them, trying not to stare too long. "They're beautiful."
"Not as much as you," he said easily, then added with a grin, "You look breathtaking, Elena. Everything about you tonight is… elegant. You light up my world."
She laughed quietly, realizing he was mocking the poetic cliché even as he said it. "Wow, smooth."
He tilted his head, pretending to think. "Was that too much?"
"Maybe a little," she teased.
He opened the car door for her, his hand steady as she stepped in.
As he rounded to his side, she caught herself watching the way his shirt stretched across his shoulders, the kind of observation she'd never let herself linger on before.
When he slid behind the wheel, his tone shifted slightly. "Did I say something wrong back there?"
She turned to him, surprised. "What? No, not at all."
"You went quiet for a minute," he said softly. "Thought I crossed a line."
How do I tell him?
Elena hesitated, then shook her head. "No. It's just…" she exhaled slowly, gathering courage. "You should probably know something."
His eyes flicked toward her, curious. "Go on."
"It's my first date," she said, almost too quietly. Too ashamed to say it out loud.
Nathan's brows lifted a little, not mockingly, but with genuine surprise. "Oh-kay," he stammered after a beat, a slow smile replacing the shock. "I…Got it."
He adjusted slightly in his seat, eyes softening. "Elena, my sweetheart, you're going to enjoy it. I promise."
She smiled shyly, her cheeks warm. "Here I thought men liked experienced girls," she said under her breath.
"I like real ones," he replied, his voice dropping low enough to make her glance at him again.
Gentleman! That's what he is.
"Let's go, darling?" he asked, reaching for the gear shift.
"Yeah," she said, her voice full of excitement she couldn't hide.
As the car pulled away, the city lights began to blur past them. London at its most alive, glittering and indifferent.
But inside that car, the world had narrowed to just two people.
One falling quietly, and one already knowing she would.
---
The restaurant sat by the Thames, its glass walls glowing gold in the evening light.
Soft jazz played somewhere in the background, blending with the muted chatter of other diners and the distant hum of the city.
Elena had been here before for family dinners, for formal events, for quiet afternoons with Isla. But tonight, it felt different.
Everything shimmered. The water looked smoother, the lights warmer, the breeze softer.
Maybe this is why they say love makes everything beautiful…
Or maybe it's just him.
She glanced across the table at Nathan. The amber light from the candle between them painted his skin in soft tones, highlighting the sharpness of his jaw, the curve of his lips when he smiled.
What is this?
Is it love?
The thought made her pulse quicken, as if even admitting it might be dangerous.
Am I falling for him too soon?
Her daydream broke when his fingers brushed against hers. He turned her palm upward, pressing it softly between both of his.
"You were gone for a second," he said quietly, his eyes warm. "So engrossed in your thoughts. Mind telling me what it is?"
She blinked, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "I was just thinking about this place," she admitted. "It looks completely different tonight. I've been here so many times before, but…"
"But?" he prompted, his thumb still tracing gentle circles on her hand.
"It feels different with you," she finished, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nathan's smile deepened. "That's because you're actually seeing it tonight," he said. "Not just looking at it."
Her heart skipped.
How does he always know what to say?
"I thought we could walk by the riverside after dinner," he added lightly. "You know, like proper dates."
Elena laughed softly. "So, this is a proper date?"
"Of course," he said. "Good food, good company, and hopefully a view you'll remember. And i want to show you what a perfect date looks like."
She smiled. "You're setting the bar pretty high."
"I plan to keep it there," he replied, eyes glinting under the candlelight.
Their meals arrived, delicate and perfect. They are in peace before he said her name.
"Elena," She looked up at him, his expressions serious.
"You're eighteen. Most people start far earlier. Boys, girls, everyone's experimenting with crushes and heartbreak by then."
Elena twirled her fork slowly, thinking. "My parents never wanted me to date anyone," she admitted honestly. "They always said I should focus on my studies, on building myself first."
Nathan leaned back slightly, watching her. "A little fun doesn't destroy a future," he replied solemnly . "You're allowed to live while you're building."
"I think the same," she said, trying to fake a smile. "But they're… rigid with their rules. And I agreed. I thought it was the right thing to do. I just wanted to keep them happy."
His gaze softened. "Maybe they're just overprotective of you."
"Certainly," she said quietly. "They always have been. And I guess I never really questioned it. It's just… keeping them happy feels like a full-time job sometimes."
Nathan nodded slowly, his expression turning thoughtful. "It's hard work, keeping parents happy. Trust me, I know."
She looked up, surprised. "Your parents didn't let you date either?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "No silly, nothing like that."
"Then what did you mean?"
He swirled the wine in his glass, the candlelight catching the deep red liquid as his voice dropped to something almost distant.
"I meant the things they expect from us," he said. "The future they design, the reputation they build, the rules we're supposed to live by. Sometimes it feels like we're performing a version of who they want us to be."
He paused, meeting her eyes. "It gets suffocating, until you find a distraction."
Her breath caught slightly at the way he said it, not dark, not flirty, just heavy with something real.
Conversation drifted easily until Nathan's gaze caught the glimmer at her wrist. She couldn't ask him what he meant by distraction.
"Wow," he said looking at the bracelet she was wearing. "That's beautiful. Nick gave it to you?"
She smiled, looking down at the gold bracelet. "Umm… no. Adrian gave it to me. A birthday gift."
He paused, the faintest muscle in his jaw tightening before he spoke again. "He has good taste."
His tone was calm, but his eyes said otherwise.
Elena noticed the change. The tension barely visible beneath his charm.
Is he… possessive?
She blinked the thought away.
After dinner, Nathan paid the bill and led her outside. They wandered down the riverside path, the city shimmering behind them. Streetlamps cast long golden streaks across the water; the sound of the river was soft, steady, almost like a heartbeat.
Their hands found each other naturally, fingers interlacing, arms brushing as they walked in an easy silence.
Finally, she glanced up at him. "Nathan," she said softly.
He looked down, eyes patient. "Hmm?"
"Am I a distraction for you?"
He stopped walking. The sudden stillness made her heart jump.
"Who said you were a distraction?"
"You did," she said quitely. "Earlier, you said you find distractions when life feels suffocating." The question felt ridiculous now.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "No, Elena," he said, cupping her face between his hands. "I didn't mean you. You're my something worth waiting for."
Her breath caught.
"This," he murmured, his thumb tracing her cheekbone, "is just the beginning of what I've planned for us."
She blinked, almost ready to ask what he meant but his voice softened again.
"I've never met anyone like you before," he said. "If you were a distraction, we'd have been done by now. I don't go running behind ladies for long."
His eyes lingered on her lips.
"You know," he whispered, "your lips are so kissable, I get distracted every time I see them."
Elena's blush deepened, a soft laugh escaping her. "You do, don't you?"
He tilted his head slightly, smirking.
"Then how come you haven't kissed me in a while?" she asked shyly.
—
(Adrian's POV)
Adrian hadn't planned to be here tonight.
His mother had surprised him at the office earlier — unannounced, arms full of shopping bags and that mischievous smile that made him drop everything.
Work had been relentless lately. Meetings stacked back-to-back, clients doubling since his promotion, overseas contracts waiting for signature.
His name was finally being mentioned in rooms that once belonged only to his father.
"You're doing incredible, Adrian," his mother said proudly over dinner. "Your father and I keep joking you'll make us retire early."
He'd laughed. "I wouldn't dare."
"I mean it," she said warmly. "In a few years, we could hand things over and trust you to lead. You're capable even now."
Her praise filled him with quiet pride and yet a small unease lingered, one he couldn't name.
Then he saw her.
Through the restaurant's glass wall — soft pink fabric, the familiar tilt of her head, the glow in her eyes he hadn't seen for weeks.
Nathan Brown.
The name tightened in his chest.
From this distance, he couldn't hear what they were saying, but Nathan's hand rested over hers, confident, practiced. And Elena… she was smiling. Laughing. The kind of laugh that reached her eyes.
"Dree?" his mother's voice pulled him back. "You alright, sweetheart?"
He blinked, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just a little tired."
"You've been tired a lot lately," she teased. "You're working too hard again."
"Something like that."
She shook her head, still smiling. "You're too much like your father. Always carrying the world on your shoulders."
He smiled faintly but his eyes drifted back to the window.
Elena wasn't a burden on his shoulder…
Nathan's thumb was tracing the back of Elena's hand again. Too easy. Too smooth.
He'd heard the stories whispered among business circles and old university contacts. Nathan Brown didn't do relationships. He played them. The women always left quietly, their names disappearing like they'd been erased.
Adrian's mother followed his gaze. "She's lovely, isn't she?"
He hesitated. "Who?"
"The girl you're pretending not to stare at, Elena of course, who else!" she said knowingly.
He chuckled. "She's… someone I care about."
"And the man with her?"
His jaw tightened. "Someone I don't trust."
"Is she dating him? They look… cozy together." She pointed, studying him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Then maybe you should find out why."
Mom always knew Elena is his strength and weakness.
He nodded, turning his glass between his fingers.
When he looked up again, their table was empty.
Through the window, he caught sight of them outside, walking hand in hand along the riverside path, her laughter faint in the breeze.
She used to tell me everything, every small detail of her day. Now… nothing.
No mention of Nathan.
No mention of…how close they'd grown.
Why didn't she tell me?
Because she thinks she's making her own choices now, he thought. Because she wants to prove she's grown.
Nathan leaned closer to her, whispering something that made her laugh again.
Adrian looked away, the glass tightening in his grip.
"It's nothing," he told his mother when she caught his expression. "I'll just dig into him."
But his gaze drifted back one last time to the way Nathan tucked a strand of hair behind Elena's ear, to the way she looked at him like he was already hers.
If the rumors were true, she was walking into something she wouldn't see coming.
He pulled out his phone, scrolling through contacts, names that could get him what he needed.
If he was wrong, he'd let it go.
If he was right…
He set the phone down and finished his drink.
I have to dig deeper, make sure she's making the right choice.
Outside, their silhouettes disappeared into the dim glow along the water.
"Ready to go, dear?" his mother asked, slipping on her coat.
He nodded once, eyes still on the fading light.
"Yeah," he said quietly, pocketing his phone. "Just need to make one call before we leave."
—
(End of Adrian's POV)